About The Cover

COVER This whimsical photo of a coconut turned into a car represents the increasing use of natural materials in commercial composites, particularly in the automotive sector. Coconut fibers (coir) and powdered coconut shells can be combined with a variety of polymers to make car parts, including door cladding, structural guards, and internal components. For more on the investigation and application of biological, hybrid, and carbon-based composite materials, see page 534.
Photo: Cary and Barbara Wolinsky